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Reading this you almost get the sense that this compounding workload was deliberately cruel and backbreaking. Is this some kind of hazing done to new hires, or

Reading this you almost get the sense that this compounding workload was deliberately cruel and backbreaking. Is this some kind of hazing done to new hires, or does EY just have an unbelievably toxic work culture in general?

rrr_oh_man 2y ago
Both. It's the knowledge that almost none of the associates (and lower) will stay longer than 1-2 years, so you can use and exploit them as meaty calculators. You also see this in any large private law or accounting firm.
senectus1 2y ago
I know a few accountants that have worked for EY etc... it is often toxic. but after their "indenture" and have moved on they dont seem to regret it.. its a weird accountant culture thing.
- carlmr 2y ago
  It's frat culture turned into a company. You get hazed for a year or two and then you're part of the ingroup hazing the next batch.
- loa_in_ 2y ago
  Maybe it's survivor bias - those who don't get to the after part are shunned and change their careers, so you don't hear of them.
bilekas 2y ago
As I heard from a few people who went straight after qualification was that they're very open to new recruits non experience and to have their name on the CV was basically the best way to move forward with their career opportunities. They have to stay for a year or two and during that time they also get some accounting qualifications (in my friends case) which can be carried on.
- kreyenborgi 2y ago
  You'd think it was a bad thing to put on your CV that you tolerate abuse :-/
  - vineyardmike 2y ago
    Not to encourage the behavior, but it’s not simply “I was a victim” signal. It’s abusive, but it’s also a sign you did something. You have to do the work asked of you, and the more work you do, the better for a CV. That’s why so many people tolerate this treatment, and why it’s not a negative signal for people reading a CV later.
  - TeMPOraL 2y ago
    The line between "tolerates abuse" and "persevered through legitimately hard challenges at work" is quite blurry, and the latter is a good signal on your resume.

rrr_oh_man 2y ago

Both. It's the knowledge that almost none of the associates (and lower) will stay longer than 1-2 years, so you can use and exploit them as meaty calculators. You also see this in any large private law or accounting firm.

senectus1 2y ago

I know a few accountants that have worked for EY etc... it is often toxic. but after their "indenture" and have moved on they dont seem to regret it.. its a weird accountant culture thing.

carlmr 2y ago
It's frat culture turned into a company. You get hazed for a year or two and then you're part of the ingroup hazing the next batch.
loa_in_ 2y ago
Maybe it's survivor bias - those who don't get to the after part are shunned and change their careers, so you don't hear of them.

bilekas 2y ago

As I heard from a few people who went straight after qualification was that they're very open to new recruits non experience and to have their name on the CV was basically the best way to move forward with their career opportunities. They have to stay for a year or two and during that time they also get some accounting qualifications (in my friends case) which can be carried on.

kreyenborgi 2y ago
You'd think it was a bad thing to put on your CV that you tolerate abuse :-/
- vineyardmike 2y ago
  Not to encourage the behavior, but it’s not simply “I was a victim” signal. It’s abusive, but it’s also a sign you did something. You have to do the work asked of you, and the more work you do, the better for a CV. That’s why so many people tolerate this treatment, and why it’s not a negative signal for people reading a CV later.
- TeMPOraL 2y ago
  The line between "tolerates abuse" and "persevered through legitimately hard challenges at work" is quite blurry, and the latter is a good signal on your resume.